Woodstock First Nation Health Centre Notices

Knowledge Is Power

EN-WE-OW-LE-TENEH

 10 Turtle Lane • Woodstock First Nation, NB • E7M 3B4 • Telephone Number:  325-3570

Woodstock First Nation Health Center Newsletter  • Milk Coupons • The Circle • Other Services of WFN Health Center  • Model healthy boundaries for kids  • Child Neglect  • Safe Kid's Lunch Boxes

 

EN-WE-OW-LE-TENEH

WOODSTOCK FIRST NATION HEALTH CENTER NEWSLETTER

The Woodstock First Nation Health Centre Newsletter will be below in PDF Files so you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this on your computer. In order to use, download or print any PDF file you will need to install Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available FREE of charge by visiting the following link... http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Milk Coupons

The Milk Coupons that are at the Health Center for the children form ages 0-6 are at the front desk. We have them ready for pick up the first of each month. We will hold your tickets for the month and when the next batch is ready the last months will be disposed of. If after two months you haven't picked up your coupons then your child's name will be taken off of the list. We would be more than happy to give you the tickets when you do come in but they will have to be made up when you arrive as the coupons are getting wasted.

Thank you so much for your co-operation.

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The Circle

Circle are sacred. Mother Earth, Grandmother Moon, Grandfather Sun and even the human head and heart are circles.

Since the beginning of time our ancestors have used the sacred circle as a safe place to communicate. There are many different types of circles, the sharing circle, the teaching circle and the healing circle. As there are many different nations that make up the First Nations peoples there are also different ceremonies, languages and traditions. I believe we have more similarities than differences and here at Waseskun Healing Lodge circle protocol is based on the fundamental principles of First Nation people.

Protocol is the respectful way a circle is run. Circles are started with a smudge (cleansing) all participants and the room. Smudge consists of bringing one or more of the 4 sacred medicines, sage, sweet grass, cedar and tobacco. After the smudge is completed the circle is opened by a prayer. The facilitator of the circle will begin speaking while holding an eagle feather or talking stick. The feather or stick holds a responsibility for all in the circle. The holder of the feather or stick has the responsibility to speak openly and honestly and the other participants have the responsibility to listen without interruption or judgment. Women who are on the moon time do not smudge or handle the medicines or feather as they are very powerful at this time. The feather or talking stick is then passed in turn to each participant so they can share their thoughts or feelings. Participants are encouraged to dress appropriately, long skirts for the women and the men wear a shirt. Harts are not worn unless they are traditional headwear. Eating and smoking is not permitted in circle out of respect to the other participants. The Circle should never be interrupted from the outside  except for an emergency. If this is the case then the person entering the circle space should wait quietly by the door until the speaker is finished sharing. Participants do not break the circle while in progress. If they must leave the circle for an important reason they wait until the person who is sharing is finished and then quietly get up. Offer a little tobacco to the smudge bowl, and leave. Once everyone who wishes to have had the opportunity to share the circle will be closed by the facilitator (or someone he or she chooses). The circle is closed with a prayer as we are taught that we must close what has been opened.

Sharing circles are an opportunity to pass information or just let everyone know how you feel. Anyone who has knowledge of circle protocol may conduct a circle.

Teaching circles are usually conducted by an Elder or helper who is knowledgeable about the significance of ceremonies, medicines and spiritual teachings.

Healing circles are usually conducted on a more emotional level. They are  a chance to understand how someone feeling and show support to a person or people in need. These circles should have a healer, medicine person or helper present. These circles can include conflict resolution or a healing ceremony for person who is suffering. The chosen medicine keeper for the circle will smudge the person who is sharing if the need arises.

Glenda Mayo

"Conceit, is think of oneself as someone we are not and is putting others down; pride, is knowing who we are and not letting anybody else put us down" (Spiritual perspectives and human facts)

CHANGED (Poem by Jusi York)

Everyday, I look outside.
What I see, I do not like.
Life we live, ain't even ours.
Day by day, we live by hours.
I wouldn't even think of money,
Just to feed my empty stomach.
If our culture is very strong,
Then where the hell did we go wrong?
We are losing our own traditions,
'cause we chose to take a different direction.
In life

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Model healthy boundaries for kids

Something we unwittingly confuse children by insisting they hug Grandma even when they don't want to or when we say "Do what the baby sitter tells you to do." Help your children practice setting healthy boundaries. When children tell us they don't want to hug and kiss everyone at the family gathering when it's time to leave, support them by helping them find an alternative way to show respect to family members (such as shaking hands, high fives, saying goodbye:. Model saying "no" and teach your children that their "no" will be respected. If adults in your child's life don't respect your child's rights to set boundaries, as the adult you should reinforce your family rules and your child's rights to set boundaries.

Talk about touch - When talking with children about touch, remember that sexual touch can be very confusing. In a strictly physical sense, sexual touch can feel good and for a victim of sexual abuse, this can create more shame and confusion about the situation. "If my body responded this way, this must mean that I liked it and wanted it to happen." Many families prefer to talk about "secret" touch or touch that makes a child uncomfortable. ""It is not OK for anyone to touch that makes a child uncomfortable." -not Mom, Dad, Aunt, Uncles, teachers or even your friends. Your body is yours and yours alone and you always have a right to say no to someone."

Talk about ticks - Some people who sexually abuse children tell the child that it is their fault, that no one will believe them, that if they tell anyone they will hurt their family or pet, etc. Explain these tricks to your children and reassure them that you can handle the situation. "As your parent, aunt, guardian, I will always be here to keep you safe and will always believe you and love you." "If someone touches you in an uncomfortable way it is never your fault." They just tell you that to trick you."

Involve other adults. Children need to know that there are other adults in whom they can confide. Sometimes children are afraid that they will "get in trouble" if they tell their parents about something that happened. This fear can be reinforced by the person who is harming them. Help your children to realize that there are other adults who can help them if they don't want to talk to Mom or Dad or if Mom or Dad id doing something that concerns them. Ask "if you don't feel comfortable talking to me about something, Who else can you talk to?" or " What if something happens at school, church, the park, who could you talk to?

Be approachable - By initiating conversations about healthy sexual boundaries, by answering questions accurately and respectfully, by handling disclosures calmly and reassuringly, you send the message that you are someone your child (or other children you care about) can talk to even when something has already happened.

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Child Neglect

Child neglect is intentional harm to a child, this includes neglect and abuse.

Neglect - When parents or caregivers fail to ensure a child's health and well-being. some examples are inappropriate shelter, schooling, clothing/footwear, medical care, and protection from hazardous things. Child neglect is just as severe as child abuse and is more common than abuse.

some symptoms of child neglect are:

  • Significantly under weight or over weight

  • Developmentally delayed

  • Obviously unhealthy such as being sick or tired most of the time.

  • Dirty or poor personal hygiene

  • Inadequately clothed for the weather

  • Hunger

  • Pattern of tardiness or missing school

1.6 million People loose their lives each year to violence. For every person who dies as a result of violence, many more are injured or suffer from a range of physical, reproductive and mental health problems as a result. Stopping the cycle of abuse starts with us, so our children don't grow up messed up like us!

There are many kinds of abuse that unfortunately many people of all ages experience every day, yes in OUR community too. over the next few months you will see and read about the different types of abuses that there are:

  • Neglect

  • Physical Sexual

  • Psychological

  • Elder

  • Spiritual

  • Financial

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Safe Kid's Lunch Boxes

keep your kids lunches safe from foodborne illness with a few simple tips on packing a lunch box. Young children are particularly vulnerable form food poisoning. Parents and care-givers can help protect kids by following a few simple guidelines.

Tips for packing safe lunches

  • Use insulated lunch boxes or coolers

  • To help contents stay cool, make sure the lunch box/cooler has a frozen drink bottle or 'built-in' water bottle or freezer brick

  • Pack lunches that do not require refrigeration (i.e. sandwiches with spreads like Vegemite, jam, UHT dairy products or whole fruits)

Follow food safety tips whenever you are handling food for yourself and your family:

  • The bacteria that cause food poisoning grow between 5_C and 60_C, this is known as the "temperature danger zone". Keep cold food in the fridge until you are ready to cook or serve; serve hot food steaming hot.

  • Cook food thoroughly. Cook poultry, minced meats and sausages until well done, right through to the centre. No pink should be left visible.

  • Separate raw and cooked food and don't use the same utensils, especially cutting boards, for both.

  • Wash your hands in hot soapy water and dry thoroughly before preparing food, and after touching raw meat and chicken.

  • Keep utensils and kitchens clean.

  • Lunches can safely be made ahead of time (the previous night) provided they are then kept in the fridge.

Fun Lunch Box Ideas:

Pinwheel Bites

Bologna Puzzle-wich

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To view other services provided by the Woodstock First Nation please select the following links:

Fetal Alochol Syndrome Disorders

Child & Family Services

Community Health Nurse

NIHB (Non-Insured Health Benefits) Program

Wellness Program Dental Services

Dental Services